Boteco Do Brasil

Not a must, but its a great place for a snack or a beer. Every Thursday 2 burgers in the price of one!

This wouldn’t be a bar of choice to head to at any day of the week I’ve often found that it gets crowded pretty quick & gets rather noisy so much that you struggle to hear the person next to you.
Service here has always been an issue or the lack of it, with several staff struggling with basic English and not understanding a drinks order and all i was trying to order was four pints of draught beer, even pointing at the one I was trying to order was pointless.
The toilets reeked to high heaven and reminded me of rotten fish or even a dead carcass, if I was to give them any tips it would be to forget any regulations & buy yourself s bottle of neat bleach and give your place a good wash.

Walked passed here a million times out and about in town, but have never ventured in. The boyfriend and I were celebrating a big anniversary and decided to try drinks in a new place before we headed to dinner.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect walking in. It felt more like a pub than a restaurant, which is what I thought it was. I was half expecting to find frozen drinks and margaritas, but thinking back, why would there be those drinks? This is a Brazilian establishment, not a Mexican one. (maybe margaritas are big in Brazil, I’m not sure?). Anyway, we ordered ciders and took a seat at the high top tables towards the front of the pub.
Sitting there a fee minutes, a member of staff came over to let us know the table we were sat at would need to be free in 15 mins as it was reserved. No worries, we moved to a couch near by, which was a lot more cosy and we were able to continue our chat over drinks.
We didn’t stay but for one drink, but I fully plan on coming back with friends for Salsa dance lessons and food. Seems like a fun place to hang out and the music is great.

I’d never been in here, and looking to kill time before going to a gig, I suggested we pop in and have a wee looky see what it’s like inside.
I’ve never been to Brazil (or Brasil depending on how you spell it, I’m never quite sure) but I’d like to think this is close. It certainly felt different to other Trongate bars I’ve been in, and maybe not just because the heating was whacked up to nuclear levels!
Even allowing for the river of sweat, I liked it. I had a pint of Brahma on draft, which I believe is the first time I’ve had such a thing and would definitely come back again just to have.
The staff behind the bar were pretty damned cool too, a nice line in one liners and quick service, and attempting to get us to eat without actually being overly cheeky.
Sadly, I’d already eaten elsewhere, but the food I did see and smell from diners nearby made me wish I hadn’t. I think a trip back here to eat may be on the cards in the future.
This is the kind of place I would LOVE to see in full flight during a World Cup with Brazil games being shown on the TV. That could be a hell of a night, and something I’ll be looking forward to in the future.
I may just have found myself somewhere new and cool — if slightly warm — to hang out.

Fun place for a laugh. Went for a Christmas Night out a few years back. Loved the samba dancers and we all joined in too. Not a fancy restaurant. Food was ok, part of set Christmas menu. Wouldn’t go back for the food but overall a good experience.

Friday was boys night out, pub crawling with David A and Martin R. Once we were booted out of the last pub down Merchant City way at midnight, we were on the hunt for a late licensed pub.
Boteco is open til 3. And has awesome salsa music. It was a no brainer.
It was mega loud, mega busy and mega fun! There was a great atmosphere –helped also by the security vetting customers as they come in. Not much in the way of a beer selection, but the Estrella was good and reasonably priced.
They do food here too, in the restaurant part, which is apparently great — I’ll definitely be trying it soon. At the time of night we were here it’s pretty much an awesome Latin infused nightclub.
Had an unplanned return visit on Sunday night too — I’m so going to be a regular here! Now, can someone teach me to tango and salsa!!!

Though I’ve never eaten here, I can vouch for its fun, different atmosphere that you don’t get in a lot of other bars/​restaurants in the area.
It feels distinctly Brazilian (even though I’m completely unqualified to say that given that I know little about Brazilian culture), and on Fridays and Saturdays has enough of a crowd going on to generate an energetic-​without-​being-​overcrowded vibe.
Whenever I’ve been, there has been some pretty good live music being played. This always seems to draw the crowd in (and it is quite the varied crowd).
Worth visiting if you’re in the area!

Trying somewhere new The Portonian and I popped in here: the food was fine and the staff were very friendly. My starter was the star for me, four conical soft potato dumplings stuffed with chicken, served with chilli dip, followed by a stew.

The food isn’t great. I could do the same at home. But the atmosphere here is great, and the waiters are cute. Our waiter asked us to move mid-​meal because we were in a huge booth but a big party came in. We obliged, and he gave us a free shot. Also good if you want to watch some international football. There is a lot of love for Brazilian footie players here.
So go to have drinks with friends and flirt with the waiters, but get dinner somewhere else.

Yes, yes, yes and yes again. Actually, one of those affirmatives should possibly have been in caps locks just to fully emphaisie the gravity of the yes.
Having walked by this place in a number of occasions, thinking that a Brasillian themed bar in the east end of Glasgow was about as natural as a tory giving praise to single parents and the ‘working class’, a bunch of the post event Unilocalers and I popped in for a wee refreshemnt. And I’m glad we did.
With a menu chock full of trad cocktails, a great samba playlist, friendly and quick staff and a vibe that feels more Rio than Trongate, Boteco is one I’d def hit again.

Boteco is one of our favourite places to have a late lunch or a quiet dinner. The waitstaff are all very friendly and accommodating… some of them are slightly eccentric, but we enjoy them all very much.
My husband and I usually only order either the Moqueca or the Feijoada… they’re both SO good that it makes it difficult to sample the rest of the menu, though we have tried a number of the tapas dishes. Some of our favourite tapas dishes are the chorizo with the fried casava chips, the pastelzinho, the chicken croquettes, and the empanadas.
We took away a star for the weak drinks that tend to be full of ice and the televisions that seem to always be on. I think if they turned off the televisions in the back, at least during the evenings, the atmosphere would be improved. But really, the food and the lovely service is why we go, and will continue to return.

I forgot all about this restaurant. I only ended up in it after my man invited me down to join his work colleagues on their Christmas night out. I had not long finished rehearsals at The Arches Community Choir so I thought ‘ach why not’.
Ok so I felt a total gatecrasher but glad I popped in. My man was just finishing his traditional roast turkey dinner, which I was surprised they had laid on for a Brazillian restaurant. It was now 10pm and he’d been in since about 7ish, he said the service was very slow, but they had had a couple of Brazilian dishes before their main. After another wee while their desserts finally arrived. Again feeling a tad awkward I moved out the way so they could enjoy their puddings but then the waiter said they had a spare and insisted that I had it. Well I didn’t want to be rude and then didn’t feel so bad now I could technically join them.
The music continued to pump out loud Brazilliany stylee music so the place was literary jumping. By now one of his colleagues was working her way round the men to get them up on the dance floor to salsa. My man looked at me and was quite happy to head on home. We then attempted to head for the exit but felt we were in an episode of Knightmare having to take a few rushed jumps and steps to try and leave. The salsa was in full swing and we did try to keep near to the bar as possible but they were flang flung flinging themselves all about the place. We eventually did make it out of there. Phew! I swear I tensed up there over that memory. I would like to go back though and try the Brazillian menu to see what tapas they have on offer.

We stumbled upon Boteco by accident; I’m usually not keen on venturing up near the Trongate as the punters scare me, to be frank. I didn’t know that it existed, but I’m really glad we came across it as we’ll definitely be back!
The (very nice) waitress seated us in the restaurant part of Boteco, the front of house being mainly for people having a drink. There was one other couple there and us, so we chose a secluded booth, which was quite a nice novelty as city centre eateries are usually packed to the rafters. The walls were adorned with typical Brazilian scenes; surfers, the carnival, boats all done really nicely and vibrantly. The tables and chairs were all dark wood, which was a lovely contrast. It wasn’t tacky or gaudy like most ‘themed’ pubs in town, the music wasn’t booming loudly and it was presumably Brazilian which I liked.
We ordered cocktails; I had a Strawberry Batida (fresh fruit, ice, cachaca and milk) and my boyfriend had a traditional caipirinha, which blew his socks off, it was sooo strong!
We settled on Brazilian Tapas, dishes for 9 pounds, and we had three each so that we could share. I won’t even attempt the Brazilian names, and neither would you if you saw the menu! We had King Prawns, fish cakes, rice and cheese balls, beef, chicken parcels and chorizo with Brazilian potatoes. They all came out in pretty quick time in small terracotta dishes, filled with plenty of tapas and salad, and a little dish of the spiciest salsa I have ever had! Too nippy for me but the boyfriend loved it.
I would recommend every single one of the dishes, other than the rice and cheese balls. These are served in breadcrumbs and are cold, which put me off. We didn’t finish those. The rest were gorgeous though and we were stuffed afterwards, it was plenty for a dinner for two.
The bill for two (two cocktails and 6 tapas) came to a reasonable 28.05, and we left full and satisfied. The staff were lovely, very helpful and seemed genuinely interested if we enjoyed our meal.
I have never had Brazilian cuisine before but would thoroughly encourage you to give it a go, you won’t be disappointed!

I visited this new pub on the Merchant City end of Argyle Street just days after it opened. Brazilian themed, its mood was festive, with murals of the Rio carnival painted on the walls and children running around as their parents enjoyed tapas in the adjoining restaurant. I was lured in the door by the £2 bottle of Sol, my boyfriend by the Spanish football on the many screens.
More time will tell of Boteco’s impact on the city centre/​Merchant City bar scene.

From the outside, Boteco looks the part. Colourful and vibrant, it exudes an inviting glow, thanks in no small part to the Brazilian flag emblazoned above the doorway (still the best national flag the world has to offer).
Yet given the precedent set by bars in this area, I fully expected this to be a bit like turning up at the Maracana and seeing Partick Thistle take to the field.
Despite being situated on the cusp of the Merchant City, main street bars here have tended to lean towards the gratingly-​generic side, aesthetically-​swish on the outside, all puggies and Tennent’s on the inside. Thankfully Boteco is trying to do something different.
For one thing, the inside is well presented, a city centre establishment definitely, but a good one. Although there are big screens showing football from across the world, there is also a well set out restaurant area around the back serving authentic Brazilian tapas dishes (you can also eat these in the bar area), while an extensive list of cocktails from the South American country is also available. Food generally tickles the four pound mark and comes in the sort of portion sizes which ensure three is enough to satisfy most appetites.
There’s something authentic about the atmosphere — not quite enough to make you think you’re at the Mardi Gras in Rio rather than a stones throw away from Weans’ World, but enough to make you appreciate you’re not in a tacky Brazilian-​take on Walkabout.
It’s not perfect; the incessant South American music is a tad on the cheesy side while the range of beers is fairly standard (although on my visit they were offering bottles of Sol for two pounds). Furthermore, the trademark puggie lowers the tone with its garish glows.
Nevertheless, offering extras such as salsa classes emphasises the establishment’s commitment to bringing something a little bit out of the ordinary to the area. Puggies and salsa; Brazil, welcome to Glasgow.